Explore the fascinating world of the adolescent brain

Hosted by Wellington College, in partnership with NZ Police and Brainwave Trust Aotearoa, parents, whānau, and caregivers are invited to an evening exploring the fascinating world of the adolescent brain.

Teenagers can sometimes seem unpredictable, emotional, impulsive, or willing to take risks. While this can be challenging for parents and caregivers, much of what we see is driven by something remarkable — a brain that is still under construction.

This engaging and interactive evening will provide practical insights into adolescent brain development and help parents better understand what is happening inside the minds of their young people. More importantly, it will equip whānau with strategies to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and support positive decision-making during the teenage years.

During the first part of the evening, participants will build and interact with a model of the adolescent brain, exploring how the brain stem, limbic system and prefrontal cortex influence the way teenagers think, feel and behave. Together, we will unpack topics such as emotional regulation, stress, risk-taking, peer influence, alcohol and drugs, and the critical role that trusted adults play in shaping positive outcomes for young people.

The second part of the evening will focus on our local context. We will explore relevant community data and engage in discussion with the presenters and school staff about the opportunities and challenges facing our rangatahi. There will also be time to ask questions, share perspectives, and connect with other parents and whānau over refreshments.

What will parents and whānau gain?

• Gain a deeper understanding of how the adolescent brain develops and why teenagers behave the way they do.

• Learn why emotions, stress responses and risk-taking can be particularly intense during adolescence.

• Understand how alcohol, drugs and peer influence affect a developing brain.

• Develop practical strategies for having more effective and meaningful conversations with your teenager.

• Build confidence to discuss challenging topics in ways that strengthen relationships and trust.

• Learn how strong, supportive adult relationships can positively influence wellbeing, resilience and decision-making.

• Connect with other families and strengthen our collective approach to supporting young people.

This promises to be an informative, practical and thought-provoking evening that will leave attendees with greater insight, useful tools, and renewed confidence in supporting their teenager through these important years.

We encourage all parents and whānau to take advantage of this valuable opportunity brought to our community by Brainwave Trust.

Event Details

When: Thursday 6th August
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Where: Wellington College – Alan Gibbs Centre
Presenters: Sarah Best (Kaiako, Brainwave Trust Aotearoa) and Shane Benge (NZ Police)

Cost: Free of charge

Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided.

For catering and planning purposes, please complete the RSVP form:

https://forms.gle/NXAWvBpRPWBzjPHj6